believe, to get away from all this.
You haven't seen Dolly since you came back, and she's staying with me
for a few days. You won't go away without seeing her?'

Vincent had been disappointed at not seeing her at the Langtons' the
day before, and waited willingly enough now. It would be some comfort
to know that the child had not forgotten him, and would be glad to see
him. He had not long to wait. A hansom drove up, and the next minute
Dolly came into the room with all her old impetuosity. 'I've come
back, Mab,' she announced, to prevent any mistake on that head. 'We
drove home all the way in a black cab with yellow wheels--didn't you
see it? Oh, and in the Academy there was a little girl with a dog just
like Frisk, and I saw a lot of people I knew, and----'

'Don't you see someone you used to know?' said Mabel, breaking in on
her stream of reminiscences.

'Have you forgotten me, Dolly?' said Vincent, coming forward out of
the shade. His voice was a little harsh from emotion.

The change in the child's face as she saw him was instantaneous and
striking; all the light died out of her face, she flushed vividly, and
then turned deadly pale.

'You knew Vincent wasn't dead really, Dolly?' said Mabel.

'Yes,' whispered Dolly, still shrinking from him, however.

'And is this all you have to say to me, Dolly?' said Vincent, who was
cut to the heart by this reception. Nothing was the same--not even the
love of this child.

Dolly had not been long in recovering from the effect of Caffyn's last
act of terrorism; for a day or two she had trembled, but later, when
she heard of Vincent as away in Italy, she could feel safe from his
anger, and so in time forgot. Now it all revived again; he had sprung
suddenly from nowhere--he was demanding what she had to say for
herself--what should she do?

She clung to Mabel for protection. 'Don't _you_ be cross too!' she
cried. 'Promise me you won't and I'll tell you all about it ... you
don't know.... Harold said you didn't. And I never meant to burn
Vincent's letter. Don't let him be angry!'

Vincent was naturally completely bewildered. 'What is she talking
about?' he asked helplessly.

'I can guess,' said Mabel. 'Come away with me, Dolly, and you shall
tell me all about it upstairs;' and as Dolly was not unwilling to
unburden herself this time, they left Vincent with Mark, who had just
joined them. Mark was uncomfortable and silent for some time when they
were alone, but at las